Coin controlled movie-sound machine



// I I//jj/ A Aug. 14, 1945.

J. F. EAKINS' COIN CONTROLLED MOVIE-SOUND MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1942 fq.1

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 llllllllllflll Aug. 14, 1945. J EAKINS 2382,47O

COIN CONTROLLED MOVIE-SOUND MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,l ga 2 L//VE Aug. 14, 1945.

J. F. EAKINS COIN CONTROLLED MOVIE-SOUND MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1942 3 Shees-Sheet 3 ooo IA ;a

AMDLIFIER" I Ptented Aug. 14, 1945 COIN CONTROLLED MOV-IE-SOUND MACHINE John F. Eakins, Evanston, lll., assignor, by meme assignments,

to Phonovlsion Corporation,

Chicago, Ill., a corporatlo ot Illinois Application September 29, 1942, Serial No. 460,()86

1 Claim.

This invention relates to coin controlled moviesound machines of the type in which the customer inserts a coin or coins, putting the machine into operation to show to the patron a -movie and at the same time to reproduce a recording of associated and usually synchronized music or *other sound reproduction. v

Prior machines of this general type have the disadvantage that they are non-selective. Usually the various film episodes are arranged in series on a continuous film. When acoin is inserted by a patron, one episode is reproduced and the insertion of the next coin effects the reproduction of the next episode on the film. Consequently, the patron must take the next episode .which is coming up on the film and he has no control over what particular artist he will see and hear.

As is well known, public fancy runs to hit" tunes and to particular orchestras and no one is able to determine in advance what particu lar tunes will catch on with the public. Neither can anyone foretell how long a hit tune will endure in the public fancy. The fact that in prior machines the odds are many times against a customer obtaining for his coin a selection which he really ,wants is a serious commercial disadvantage in machines of this type.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple machine of this type arranged so that the patron can determine exactly which of a plurality of visual and associated sound recordings he is to hear for his coin.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this type in which a patron can insert a plurality of coins, or coins of different denomination, and become enabled to select a corresponding number of recordings, which recordings are then reproduced for him one after another.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of tively positioning the films with respect to their light sources;

`Figwi is a detail showing one of the selector pins and associated mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the general arrangement of the sound film and associated parts;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary'front View of the picture film; and

Fig. '7 is a similar view of the sound track .For the'pur'poses of my invention, I prefer to provide a pluralityof film episodes on a relative'ly large film o which in the specific embodiment shown is -arranged for ten episodes. The film is wide enough for ten frames ll and each episode consists of one longitudinal series of frames. The frames may be about a third of an inch wide and in View of the relatively large size'of film necessary, I-prefer to provide at least one additional row of sprocket holes z in addition to the sprocket holes !37 along the edge of thefilm. I

The `mechanism is contained within a cabinet M which is provided with a transparent screen suitably of frosted glass upon which the picture is projected. Light from the lantern l6 is projected through a frame of the film o onto a mirror ll from whence it is reflected upon a mirror I& from which in turn it is again refiected onto the screen. A suitable lens structure l9 is provided on the outer side of the film IU from the lantern whereby the image is focused upon the screen 95.

The film ill is continuous, its ends being cemented together so as to constitute a relatively large loop. The excess film may be stored in any suitable manner. For example, it may be arranged on sprocket wheels located behind the lantern !6 so that the major part of the film is located in vertical lengths in the manner shown in the drawings.

The film is fed from the sprockets 20 by means of feed sprockets 2| and cooperating rollers 22 through a frame 23 which is movably located be tween the lantern IE and the lens structure l9 so that any particular row of frames of the film may be brought into alignment with the light emitting opening 24 of the lantern !6. The lantern !6 is provided With a rotatable shutter 25 whereby the light is interrupted in necessary manner for movie reproduction.

The sound tracks for the several film epi s odes of the film o are preferably recorded on a film 2! which is mounted on sprockets 21 which are preferably in alignment with the sprockets and are rigidly connected thereto so that the sprockets 21 and 20 rotate in unison.

The film 28 passes through a guide 28 which is rigidly connected to the guide 23 so that it is movable therewith in the horizontal direction to bring the sound track 29 corresponding to the series of frames in alignment with the light gate 24 of the lantern Ic into alignment with a lantern 30 and photocell pickup 3I. The photoceli pickup 3| is connected to an amplifler 32 which reproduces the recording on the track on the loud Speaker 33 mounted in the wall of the cabinet. The sound track film 28 is drawn through the gate 28 at uniform speed by means of a lower sprocket wheel 34 and complementary roller 35.

An upper sprocket wheel 34, together with a complementary roller 35, supplies the film from the sprockets 21 to the gate 28. The sprockets 34 are in alignment with and are rigidly secured to the sprockets 21. The sprockets 2l and 34, together with their complementary rollers, are carried by bearings on the structure 58 which carries the two frames 23 and 28.

The sprockets 20, 2l, 21 and 34 are driven continuously in appropriate directions by a motor 38 through a suitable gear reduction 31. The motor 36 is preferably a synchronous motor so that the pitch of the music is preserved. The lower sprockets 2i and 34 are driven by a shaft 38. The shaft 33 carries a worm` 39 which meshes with a worm gear 40 rigidly mounted on the shaft carrying the lower sprockets 2| and 34.

Also mounted on the shaft 38 is a worm 4i which drives a worm gear 42 rigidly mounted on a shaft 43 which extends through a claw housing -lgidly mounted on the structure 52 which carries the frames 23 and 2. The housing 44 carrles three claws 45 which are arranged to enter the sprocket holes |2 and l3 and eflect the' normal step-by-step movement of the film in usual movie projector fashion. The housing 44 contains the necessary mechanism for driving the claws from the shaft 43. This mechanism may be of any knownor suitable type and since many such mechanisms are in ordinary use in movie projectors, it is unnecessary to describe the same in detail.

The shalt 38 is driven by a worm !20 which meshes with aworm gear III which is earried by the structure BO. The worm gear l2l is slidably mounted on a gear shaft |22 which extends from the gear reduction housing 31. The arrangement is such that the worm gear l2| is !ree to slide along the length of the shalt i22 while it is driven thereby in all its positions.

The shafts carrying the upper sprockets 20 and the upper sprockets 2'l are provided with gears 48 which are operatively connected by idler gears 41. The forward gear 46 is driven by a gear 45 which is rigidly connected to a worm gear 49. The worm gear 49 is driven by a worm 50 on a shaft El extending from the gear reduction 31.'

The lower sprocket wheels. are provided with gear wheeis 52. The two rearmost sprocket wheels 20 being driven in opposite directions, have their gear wheels !2 in mesh. The other lower sprockets 20 have their gear wheels 52 connected in series by immediate idler gears 53.

The lower series o! sprockets 20 is driven by a gear 54 in mesh with the'gear 52 ot the foremost of the lower sprocket wheels 20. The gear u has rigidly secured thereto a worm gear I! which is in mesh with a worm u on the lower projecting end of the shaft Bl. since all the lower sprocket wheels 20, with the exception of the last one, have to rotate in a direction opposite to that of the upper sprockets 20, one of the worms 50 and 56 is a right-hand worm and the other is a left-hand worm.

The shutter 25 is driven by suitable gearing !1 and a chain !23 which is driven directly from the shaft il. The gear ratios are such that the shutter position is properly correlated to the claw mechanism. The film is sufliciently long to provide for suitable bights above and below the slide 28. Similar bights are provided for the film 26 above the gate 28 and below the sprocket wheel 34. It will of course be understood that the films are of the same length and that they are located with respect to the claw mechanism and with respect to the lower sprocket 34 to provide synchronism between the visible and audible reproductions and that all the sprocket wheels are driven at the same tooth speed.

The upper sprocket 2| may suitably be driven by means of a worm l24 on a shatt !25 carried by the structure 58. The shalt !25 carrier. a worm !25 which is in mesh with a worm gear !21 also carried by the structure 58.

The gear !21 is slidably mounted relative to a gear shaft !28 which carries a, gear 129 which may mesh with a suitable gear, for example the gear 48, to provide the necessary drive for the upper sprocket wheel 2l notwithstanding that the position of this sprocket wheel may vary.

The slide frames 23 and 28 are mounted on the integral structure 58 adapted for slidable movement in the horizontal transverse direction, provision being made so that the pictures of every episode and every sound track can be brought into registry with their cooperating lanterns II and 30 for coordination o! the film episodes with the corresponding sound recording.

The structure 58 is movable transversely by means of a. rack 59 carried by the structure !I which is in mesh with the pinion Oli driven at suitable speed by a reversible motor Si through a gear reduction 62.

The rack 59 carries two projections 63 which are adapted to cooperate at the ends of their travel with a projection 64' of a reversing switch 54 which controls the direction of operation of the motor, power being supplied to the motor through this switch. The arrangement is such that when the motor is energized, the structure 58 travels to the left and then to the right until it is arrested by means which will now be descri'bed.

The pinion 60 is preferably of such size that it moves the structure 58 through its full travel biy rotation slightly less than one revlolution. From the pinion 60 extends rigidly a shaft II which carries at its end a conductive radial arm 66 which is insulated from the shalt. This arm is consequently arranged to perform oscillatory movements of somewhat less than 360 and it is arranged to engage any of a plurality ot pins 81 which correspond in number to the number of seleetions, each pin corresponding to one individual selection. The pins 61 are arranged in arcuate pattern and lie in a direction parallel to the shalt 85. Selector means, which will hereinafter -be described, are provided for projecting any desired one or more of the pins into the path of the arm 68 and automatic means 'are provided for returning the pins to their normal position after cooperation with the arm u.

position, a pin 14 carried by the ratchet wheel holds open a switch 15 but when the ratchet wheel is moved one or more tooth spaces from its normal position, this switch becomes closed. A similar pin 16 on the other side of the ratchet wheel is arranged in the normal position of the ratchet wheel to open a switch 11 but When the ratchet wheel is moved one or more tooth spaces away from it normal position, the switch 'll is closed.

Of course other coin chutes may be provided* for the reception of coins of other denomina.- tions. Thus, I may provide another' coin chute 'l8 for the reception of a fifty-cent piece and in the fifty-cent piece coin chuteI may provide five switches 79 all of which are connected to operate the magnet so that the ratchet wheel ?I is displaced five tooth spaces -by the insertion of a fifty-cent piece.

The magazine switch constituted by the ratchet wheel TI and the switch limits the number of selections which can be made, since, as hereinafter pointed out, selections can be made only when the switch 15 is closed and each selection efiects return of the ratchet wheel ll one .tooth space towards its normal position.

Selections are made by a plurality of buttons 80 each of which corresponds to one particular selection. The buttons 'are pushed outwardly towards normal position by means of springs Bl, Each button carries a bridging contact 82 which is normally located between a relatively large stationary contact 83 and a relatively small stationary contact 84. Adjacent contacts 83 and 84 are connected together by conductors 85 and one end of the series consttuted 'by contacts 83, 82, 84 and conductor 85 is connected to one power line 88.'

When a button 88 is pressed inwardly, the movable contact 82 clears the contact 84. Conseduently. if the patron tries to press two buttons 88 simultaneously, separatior of one pair of contacts 82 and 88 will prevent supply of energy to the stationary contact 83 associated with the other button. The contact 82 of the button 80 nearest the power line 86 connects the long contact 88 with a contact 8? so that the power line 86 is connected to the solenoid 88 which is individual to the controlling button 80 and is individual to the same selection.

The button 88 also carries a movahle contact 89 which is a dapted to establish a circuit between two associated contacts 98 and 9l. It is arranged so that this last-named circuit is establ shed not later than the instant the contact'82 engages the contact 8l since the establishment of this circuit discharges credit from the ratchet wheel ll. All the contacts 99 are connected to power line 86 and all the contacts 9| are connected to a common line 92 which'is connected to an electromagnet 93 (similar to the electromagnet 10).

The other side of the electromagnet 93 is connected to one side of a magnet 95 which is in turn connected to the other power line 94 through switch 16. The electromagnet 95 is similar to the electromagnet 10 but it is -arranged so that it feeds the ratchet wheel 'H one tooth in the opposite direction, that is, tow-ards its normal position, each time that the magnet 95 is eneri gized. The electromagnet 93 is associated with a ratchet wheel 96 so that on each energizetion the ratchet wheel 96 is moved one step from its initial or .normal position.

The ratchet wheel 96 carries a pin 91 which controls a switch 98. In the normal position of *the ratchet wheel 96, this switch is open and in all other positions it is closed. The switch 98 is ai'range d in parallel with the switch 11, both being connected .to the power line 86. The other sides of the switches 'H and 98 are connected to the amplifier 32, the lamps of the lanterns 30 times. When 'both ratchets are returned to their normal position, the lamps and amplifier are disconnected from the power supply and both motors are stopped.

It is to be noted that when there is credit on' the ratchet 'l I, selections can be made energizing the appropriate solenoids 88 and: each actuation of a button 88 to make such selections has the effect of moving the ratchet wheel 'll one step back towards its normal position and has the efiect of moving the ratchet wheel 96 one step away from its normal position, thus transferring the credit from the ratchet wheel 'H to the ratchet wheel 86.

The other sides of the solenoids 88 are con nected to the side of the switch 15 adjacent the magnet 9. The circuit through any of the sole noi'ds 88 cannot be completed unless switch 15 is closed.

The main motor 36 is connected to the power line 94 and the selector motor BI is likewise connected to the power line 94 through the reversing switch. The other terminal of the motor 36 is connected to a switch ll on a lockup relay !02. The other terminal of the selector motor 6! is connected to a switch wa also on the lockup re lay !02. The other sides of the switches lili, 983 are connected to the conductor l !6. The switches o, !83 are correlated so that when one is open, the other is closed. Consequently, one of the motors 36, ti, operates at all times when either of the switches 'll or 98 is closed and when the two ratchet wheels 'll and 96 are returned to the normal position the operation of both motors sea-ses.

The looking relay &82 comprises a main magnet EM one side of which is connected to the power line 36. The other side of the winding I 94 is connected to a'contact !05 which bears against one of the films, preferably the film 26. On the other side of this film is a contact lol which is connected to the power line 94. The contact: i 85, U'I are in alignment so that they make contact momentarily when an opening !08 provided in the film 26 comes into registry with them. This opening !08 and the contacts and a are or ranged so that this contact is made moment iv at the end of a reproduction. The opening !813 is sufficiently small that the contact is of short dura.- tion and the film 26 overruns the contacts !01 and Ill'l slightly so as to separate them almost immediately. The energization of the main maglockup relay !82 is provided with a latch !08 which locks the switch !83 closed and the switch !8! open. To' eflect the unlooking of the relay !82, a magnet !!8 is provided to cooperate with an armature which forms part of the latch !89,

One side of the magnet !!8 is connected to the power line 88. The other side of the electromagnet !!8 is connected to one side of a plurality of solenoids v The solenoids are arranged in alignment with the solenoids 88 and a pin 81 is located within each set of aligned solenoids. The pin 61 comprises a main portion of ferrous material and a reduced projecting end 81' which may be of nonmagnetic material such as brass. The aligned solenoids are provided with stop means so as to limit the movement of the pin 81 in both directions. The arrangement is such that when a solenoid 88 is energized, its pin 81 will be moved to one end of its path so that its non-magnetic end 81' projects into the path of the arm 88. When the corresponding solenoid is energized, the pin 81 is retracted in opposite direction to its normal position.

The conductive arm 88 is connected to the power line 84 by means of a suitable brush 94'. Each pin 81 is electrically connected to the other side of its solenoid by means of contact (Fig. 4). It will readily be understood that when the arm 88 strikes a pin 81, a circuit is completed through its associated solenoid I!! and through the electromagnet !!8 so that the relay !82 is unlat'ched, resulting in the opening of the switch !88 and the closing of the switch !8!, This circuit is, of course, immediately broken by the withdrawal of the pin 81 from the arm 88.

The contact !88 is also connected to one side of an elect'omagnet z associated with the ratchet wheel 98 in the same manner as the electromagnet 88 is associated with the ratchet wheel 1!. The other side of the electromagnet z is connected to the power line 88 and the arrangement is such that each time contacts !85 and !81 engage. that is, at the end of each reproduction, the ratchet 'wheel 98 is returned one step towards its initial position.

It is to be understood that the pins 81 are correlated to the arm 88 so that the arm 88 is adapted to engage a pin 81 each time that one row of the frames on the film !8 is in registry with the opening 24. The structure 88 is provided with a notched bar !8 which is provided with notches !Il having the same spacing as the rows of frames on the film !8. A spring pressed roller !IS is adapted to engage these notches in such manner as to hold this structure with a film frame in alignment with the opening 24. In the spacing of the pins 81 and the notches !ll provision is made for the unequal spacing due to the central sprocket holes !2. V

The operation is as follows:

When the machine is out of operation, the opening !88 of the film 28 is just clear of the contacts !88, !81, the ratchets 1! and 88 are in the normal position, and the switches 18, 11 and 88 are open. No selection can be made at this time since switch 18 has opened the circuit of the solenoids 88. The machine cannot be energized until the ratchet wheel 1! has been moved from its normal position by the insertion ot a-coin or coins. It a dime is inserted in the coin chute 88, the electromagnet 18 is energized once and the ratchet wheel 1! is moved one tooth space from its normal position, thua closing the switches 18 and 11.

The closing of the switch 11 supplies current to the lamps, to the amplifler, and to the selector motor 81, the relay !82 having been locked up by the movement oi the opening !88 past the contacts !88 and !81 at the end of the last operation.

The selector motor goes into operation, moving the structure 88 to the leit and to the right through its complete travel, the reversal being efreced by the actuations of the reversing switch 84 at the end of travel in each direction. If a button 88 is now preesed inwardly, a circuit is completed through magnets 93 and 95, the switch 18 being closed. The energization of the magnet 98 returns the wheel 1! to normal position, opening the switch 15 and opening the switch 11. 'I'he energization of the magnet 93 moves the ratchet wheel 98 one step from normal position, closing the switch 98 so that the supply of energy to the lamps, amplifier and motors is maintained. The motor 8! consequently remains in operation. moving the structure 58 to the left and to the right.

It has been noted that only one button 88 !s operative at one time, since the movement of one button inwardly disconnects all contacts 88 of buttons more remote from the power line 88. consequently, only that button which is pressed in at one time and which is nearest the power line 88, is effective. The contact 82 of this button connects the line 88 to its individual solenoid 88 and this solenoid is energized before the switch 18 opens.

The energization of the solenoid 88 projects its associated pin 81 into the path of the oscillating arm 88 and consequently it arrests this arm with the line of frameson the film !8 corresponding to this selection in alignment with the opening 24. Engagement of the arm 88 with the projected pin 81 establishes the circuit through the associated solenoid and through the electromagnei !!8 of the lockup relay !82. The switch !83 is consequently opened, with the result that the motor 8! stops and the switch !8! closes so that the motor 98 is put into operation its circuit being completed through the closed switch 88.

As a result of the opening of the switch 18 resulting from the actuation of the selector button 88, no further selections can be made until a further coin or coins is inserted in one of the coin chutes.

The motor 38 going into operation, projects the selected picture upon the screen and the move- `ment of the sound track film effects the reproduction of the corresponding sound recording by the amplifler 32 and the loud speaker 33.

The electrical system remains in this condition until the end oi the reproduction when the opening !88 establishes momentary engagement between the contacts !88 and 81. Such engagement establishes a circuit through the electromagnet !84, looking up the relay !82 and conditioning the switch !83 !or the operation of the selector motor 8!. The selector motor 8! does not go into operation because the circuit established between the contacts !88 and !81 energizes the electromagnet I!! and effects the return of the play control ratchet wheel 98 to its normal position, opening the switch 98 and breaking the supply circuits !or the lamps, the ampliner and the motors.

If a plurality oi' coins, or a coin corresponding to a larger number of plays, is inserted in the coin chutes 88 and 18. the ratchet wheel 1! is moved a plurality of'steps !rom its normal position, In this case the switches 15 and 11 are closed, the selector motor sl is put into operation, and current is supplied to the lamps and to the amplifier. If the patron makes a selection by pressing in a button 80, he puts the machine into reproduction as previously described.

In-this case he can make a plurality of selections corresponding to the value of the coins inserted, each selection that he makes eflectng the return movement of the ratchet wheel ll one step towards its initial position. When he has made the corresponding number of selections, he has pushed out the corresponding pins 61 and he has moved the ratchet wheel 'H back to Initial position and opened the switches and 11 so that he can make no more selections.

The motors now remain in alternate operation continuously until all the selections -correspondingto the projected pins 81 have been played.

At the end ot the first selection, contacts los and lll'l engage with the result that the main motor IC ceases to operate and'the selector motor si is put into operation. Engagement between the contact-,s ws, lli'l also takes one credit oil' the ratc'het wheel se, moving it one step towards its initial position. The switch !8 does not open until after the last selection paid !or has been r'eproduced.

When a plurality of pina 01 have been projected, the oscillating arm IC is movedby the motor si until it engages one o! the projected pins 81. This projected pin arrests the arm 88 with the result that the corresponding recording is reproduced. This ensagement eflects the return of the engaged pin 81. When the selector motor c is again put into operation' after the reproduction of the recording corresponding to the pin 61 which has just been referred to, the arm 81 again starts to move, engaging another pin, with the result that the corresponding recording is reproduced and that pin is returned .to its normal position. This operation continues until all the pins 81 are returned to normal position and after the last reproduction is efiected, electromagnets liz and IM are energized, opening theswitch 98 and thereby terminating the operation of the machine, and conditioning' the switch I 03 for resumption of operation of the selector motor El after a further coin or coins has or have been inserted in the coin chutes.

Although my invention has been described in connection with specific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claim.

Iclaim:

In an automatic moving picture machine, "a

coin counter adapted to be actuated by the insertion of coins, a pair of switches controlled by said counter, selector mean rendered operative by said counter, means including one of said switches controlling the operability of said selector means, a play counter, a switch in parallel with the other 'of said switches controlled by said play counter and arranged to supply energy to an amplifler, a projector lamp, a sound track lamp, a projector motor and a selector motor, switch means for causing one of said motors to operate whenever either of said parallel switches is closed, means associated with said selector means tor returning said coin counter one step towards normal position and for moving said play counter one step away from' normal position, a solenoid connected with each selector means, a pin adapted to be projected by each solenoid, a movable contact driven by said selector notor adapted to engage any projected pin whereby said contact with said pin arrests 'the selector motor, means controlled by the enposition.

JOHN F'. EAKINS. 

